Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is not new to controversies. Ever since the release and earth-shattering success of his last directorial The Kashmir Files (2022), the filmmaker has been mired in one controversy after another.
He has sparked an online furor yet again as he threw shade on celebrities opting for steroids, fillers, botox, and transplants to look better. In his latest tweet, the director took an indirect potshot at celebrities and questioned the use of artificial means to enhance and maintain beauty, and explained the definition of real beauty.
He wrote, “Why are stars/celebs obsessed with steroids, fillers, botox, and transplants? Who has defined beauty? Beauty is nothing but your SELF-BELIEF & CONFIDENCE. You are born beautiful. You don’t need any correction. Don’t fall prey to market forces. #CreativeConsciousness.”
His tweet, however, did not go down well with a number of social media users who took to the comment section of his tweet and trolled him.
Sharing the poster of his 2012 film Hate Story, a user wrote, “Ask yourself first when you made the girl remove her dress.”
Another user commented in Hindi which translates to, “Then why did you show porn movies and actors shedding clothes in your films? There is a difference between preaching and following what you preach. You just preach but do not follow it yourself.”
Meanwhile, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is presently busy with his upcoming directorial venture The Vaccine War. The film is headlined by veteran actors Nana Patekar and Anupam Kher. It is expected to hit theatres in 2023 itself.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.